Postmarking and canceling machine.



-No. 782,510 YATENTED'PEB.14,1905; .1

I E. R.MALMBORG. I

POSTMARKING AND GANGELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION IILIED AUG. 9, 1902.

(XxEmnqQ IISHEBTS-SHEET 1',

PATENTED FEB. 14, 1905.

R.MALMBORG. POSTMARKING AND GANGBLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 9, 1902.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

7/z'hz asses: I

E. R. MALMBORG. v POSTMARKING AND OANGELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 9, 1902.

11 SHEBTS-SHEBT 3.

" PATENTE-D FEB. 14, 1905.

PATENTED FEB. 14,1905.

I E. R. MALMBORG.

POSTMARKING AND-GANGELING MACHINE.

APPLIOATIOK FILED AUG. 9, 1902.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 4,

PATENTED FBB.14,1905. R. MALMBORG.

" POSTMARKING' AND .GANGELING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION nun we. 9, 19oz.

11 snsmksnnntr s.

7/zzzzesse3: Inventor:

Nor/82,510. f v PATENTED FEB. 14,1905. B. R. MALMBORG.

' POSTMARKING AND GANGELING MACHINE."

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 9, 1902.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

W nessesn- [72 van 20 7 flaw/Jab (2Z PATENTED FEB. 14, 1905;

. E. RQMALMBORG. POSTMARKING AND GANGELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION IILBD AUG. 9, 1902.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

2162572 .9 sei- M f/(z /vo.

' JPATENTED PEB. 1 ,1905.

' R. MALMBORG.

.POSTMARKING- AND CANGELING MACHINE.

APPLIOATIOYN nun we. 9, 1902.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

No. 782,510. PATENTED FEB. 14,1905.

' E. R. MALMBORG.

POSTMARKING AND QANGELING MACHINE.

'APPLIQATION 111.31) mm. 9, 1902.

' 11 s'nnnTs-snnn'r 11.

In venzon' 5M4? Z/ii 7a sses:

' ing-drawings.

arranged.

UNITED;

Patented February 14,1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

ERNST R. MALMBORG, OF, CHICAGO, innmoisnssieNoa, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO TIME MARKING MACHINE COMPANY, A CORPO- RATION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

\7 Po'sTMARK NeANp oANcELm'e MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patehit No. 782,510, dated February 14, 1905.

Application filed August To all whom it may concern:-

citizen of'the United States, residing'at Chicago, in-the county of Cook and State of lllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Postmarking and Canceling Machinesfof which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompany- My-invention relates to machines for postmarking letter'mail and canceling the stamps thereon, and has for its object the production of a machine adapted for handling both faced and unfaced mail that is to say, mail that has been arrangedin bunches with the stamps all in one position and mail that has not been so My present invention consists in an improved construction and arrangement of the 'machine describedin Letters PatentNo. 615,031, granted to me November 29, 1898,

which said improvements will be fully de scribed. y l 1 In the'accompanying drawings, Figure-1 is a planview of my improved machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of same from the right Fig.3 is an endelevation side of-Fig; 1. from the-rear. Fig. 4 is an elevation from the frontend. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail plan .viewof one of the four feed-hoppers A,

. B, C, and D. Fig. 6 is aside elevation of same. Fig. 7 is anv enlarged cross-section in line mm of Fig. 6, taken in the direction of the arrows there shown, omitting the table. Fig. 8 isv an enlarged plan view of my improved printing mechanism. Fig. 9 is-a side elevation of same. Fig. 10 is an enlarged plan view of my improved stacking inechan-. lSm. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of same.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged plan view in detail of the printing mechanism and parts adjacentthereto, showing the gearing in dotted lines. Fig. 13 is a side elevation of same from the left side. Fig. 14 is an enlarged side elevation-in detail, showing the mechanism for drivifig-the pulley which actuates the belt running beneath the feed-hoppers, also a de- 9:19:02. Serial No. 119.038.

, tail' of part of the mechanism of one of the Be it known that I, ERNsT R. MALMBoRe, a-

, .I will firstdescribe the general arangement of the'machine, after which I will more particularly describe the construction and ope-ra-v .tion of the distinctive parts referred to.

'Having reference to Fig. 1, that portion at the bottom of the sheet, may properly be termed the front end or head of the machine. .Begi-nning at this end we first have the stacking mechanism; second, the printing mechanism'; third,the feed mechanism. The latter consists of the feed-belts, the'timingconstructed. I In operating this machine the mail is placed 0n the table and then fed into the hoppers. If the mail has already been faced and bunched, however, one of the hoppers may be opened out and set to operate at the fast speed, an example of which isshown at B, Fig. 2." The bunches of letters'being placed on the table formed by the hopper in this position areseparated and fed to the printing mechanism at belt, and four feed-hoppers designated as A, B, O, and D. Each of the latter are similarly the rate of one for each revolution of the printing-cylinder. If the mail hasnot been previously faced and bunched, the hoppers A, B, O, and D are closed, as shown in A, C, and

D, and set to operate at the slow speed. The

mail-pieces are then fed into all four of the.

hoppets at the same time, from which they are delivered onto the general feed-belt in the proper order to be delivered to the printing printing-cylinderf From the-printing mechanism the mail is delivered to the stacking mechanism, where it is stacked in proper order for removal.

Following out. the general construction in mechanism, one for each revolution of the detail, 1 is a frame consisting of a-base 1', four standards 2, resting on the top of theframe 1, Fig. '7. 2 and 2, same figure, are guides standards 1, and a top composed of iron slabs 1, on which the moving parts are mounted.

2 is a shelf ornarrowtable supported by or supports for the belt 9 and are rigidly attached to the frame 1.

2 is a guide forming partof the inner wall of the runway for the letters. 2 is a bridge or covering for said runway opposite each feed-hopper and extends from the table'2- to p the inner side of each hopper.

2 is a guide forming the outer wall of the run way. That portion opposite the feed-hoppers extending higher than the other portion has its ends turned outw tact with the letters, Figs. 3 and 7.

2 is an extension of'the guide or sidewall 2, composed of strips of sheet-steel arranged horizontally with the edges forming the wall to the runway in order to reduce the friction,

Fig 1 and 2.

3 is a table supported on one side by legs 3,

the other side resting on the shelf 2.

4 is a table or support adapted to receive the stack of mail after it has been postmarked and canceled. It consists of metallic rods arranged parallel to each other on the same plane. 'Therods are held in place by two pieces 4 and'4 Fig. 1. 4 is secured to the frame 1 by means of screws.

4 is a brace extending from the end piece 4 to the frame 1, Figs. 2, 3, and 4.

I 4 is a rod supported by the end piece 4 and bracket 4. The latteris screwed to the frame 1.'

5 is a box or case adapted to contain time mechanism. It is supported by the bracket 5*, which is rigidly attached to the frame 1,

Fig.2.

The general construction and arrangement of the moving parts is as follows: s

6 is the driving-pulley or prime motor and is keyed on a shaft 6", which has one of its hearings in a bracket 6 and the'other in the top'portion of the frame.

' keyed a gear 6, which meshes with a gear 7 keyed to the shaft 7 journaled in a bracket 5, screwed on the frame 1 which shaft carries the printing-cylinder 7.. Said gear 7 also meshes with a gear .8, keyed on the shaft- 8, which carries .-.the driving-pulley 8 of the st-ackingmechanism. Keyed on the upper end of shaft 6is the sprocket-pulley. 9, which drives the sprocket-belt 9", Figs. 1, 2, 7, 12, and 13. Said-belt also passes around an idle pulley 9" at the rear end of the machine-,Fig. I

3. Said pulley is -journaled on 'a' stud attached to the frame 1.

Referring to Fig. 13', keyed on the drivingshaft 6 is a beveled gear 6, which meshes with a beveled gear 10, keyed on a shaft 10*,

which has itsbea ard to prevent con On the shaft 6 is rings in a bracket 10",.bolted tothe frame 1,'-'Fig. 2. On the same shaft is 6 5 keyed apulley lQ", which drives the feed-belt i Q I 782,510

10*. Figs. 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, and 13. said feedbelt also passes around an idle pulley 10 at the rear end of the machine, Fig. 3, which pulley isjournaled on a shaft 10 supported by an. adjustable bracket 10 clamped on the frame. 1, Figs. 2 and 3. Y p

1 Keyed on the driving-shaft 6 is amitergear 6", which meshes with a gear 11, keyed I on a shaft 11., Figs. 4, 5, and 7, which has its hearings on the frame 1, Fig. 2. jSaid shaft carries also a gear 11, which meshes with a gear 11, journaled on a stud 11 attached. to

the'frame 1, Figs. 2 and 7. .The gear 11 Y also meshes with a gear 11", keyed on a shaft 11 which has its hearings in the hangers 1 1 screwed on the frame 1?, Figs. 2, 6, and 7, which shaft 1 1 constitutes the driving element of the feed-hoppers A, B, G, and D.

Keyed onthe outer end of the shaft'll is a small gear 11 which meshes with a gear 12, keyedon a shaft 12, which has its hearings in the hangers. 12, screwed to i the frame 1,

"Figs. 7, 12, and 14. Also keyed on the shaft 12*isa miter-gear-12, which meshes with'a gear 12, keyed to a shaft 12 which has its hearings in a bracket 12 screwed to the frame 1", Fig. "14. Keyed to the upper end of the shaft 12 is a miter-gear 12?,which meshes with a gear 12, keyed to a shaft 12, which has its bearings in a bracket screwed to the frame 1, Figs. 2 and 14. The shaft 12 carries a pulley 12 which drives the belt 12,

running in the bottom of the feed-hoppers A,

B, O, and D. Said belt 12 also passesover an idle pulley 12 journaled on the shaft 10 at the rear end of the machine, Fig- The shaft 12 also serves to actuate the timing mechanism ofthefeed-hoppers, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

Having described the general construction of-the driving mechanism, I will now proceed to a detailed description of one of the feedhoppers A, B, (J, and D.' I -'Keyed on the shaft 11, constituting the main driving element ofsaid hoppers, is a miter-gear 11', which meshes with a gear13,

its bearings in a bracket 14", extending up Il s .ward through a slot in the frame 1 and ad- Y fiustably clamped thereto, Figs. 6: and 7. Keyed'on the-shaft 14 is a pulley 14, which drives the friction-belt 14*, said beltpassing.

around another pulley, 14",- journaled on a shaft 14, supported in' a framev 1'4. Said .frame is pivoted on a stud14", screw-thread- Fig. 5.

15 is a guide adapted to shunt the passing mail-pieces over against the belt 9? and prevent their falling into the open space in the side wall of the runway, occurring between .the rollers 13 and 14 Fig. 5. Q

Mounted against the friction-belt 13 and roller 13 is a-friction-roller 16, journaled on a stud 16", supported by an adjustable slide 16". Said slide is loosely fitted to a slot in the frame 1 and'adapted to be moved back and forth by turning the set-screw 16 to the right or. left l6 -is aflat spring mounted on a lug 16 screwed to the-frame 1", Figs. 5 and 6.

17 is'astud mounted on the slide 16", on top of which stud is screwed a stop 17. The opposite "end of said stop extends into the pathwayof mail-pieces being fed between the friction-belt14 and roller 16 and stops them from passing until they are released therefrom by the timing mechanism, which I will next describe.

. said lever having three arms 18, 18", and 18,

constituting one piece. It is loosely mounted ona revoluble shaft 18, which has its bearing in the frame 1. 'A fourth arm 18 is rigidlyattached to said shaft 18 at the upper .endthereof.

The arm-18 has a pin 18 rivet- -'ed;:tlnerein, extending downward through a holel in the lever 18, the purpose of said pin being to permit the lever 18 to be moved up I:"-a'nd .down on the shaft 18 and pin 18*, while the-"armfilS will be actuated by movements (thereof in position for either the slow or fast. ,peed, .as' will hereinafter be more fully ex-. 5 I

plained. y

18 'is an ad ustable support for the lever 1.8 and is adapted to he raisedand lowered at thewill of the operator to adjust the lever 18 in position to be actuated" either by the cam y'the means which I will nowproceed to describe..- i

Keyed to the shaftlQ, Figs 6 and 7,'is a earn 12?, which actuates a pitman 18, the end i of which pitm'an has aU-shaped bearing 18,

whichhooks over the shaft 12 and is provided with anantifriction roller"18 to lessen lever'is pivotedsubs't a lug' 18', screwed;

antia-lly at its center on e "frame 41; Fig. 7. j

The lever 18 passes up througha'slot in the frame 1 and is provided at its uppei'j'end with an arm 18', adapted to engage the arm 18 of the lever 18 when in its highest position. The first-described mechanism actuates said lever when in its lowest position at a speed The last-described mecharm 18, attachedto a revoluble shaft 18,

.which'has its bearing in the-frame 1 Figs. 5

and'6. Secured to the upperend of the shaft 18 isan'arm 18 which extends through a slot in the stop l7 and is pivoted on a sliding throw-off 18 for releasing the mail-pieces A from'said stop 17".

Hooked on a pin in the outer end of the arm 18 is a coil-spring 18*, the other end of which is hooked on apin in the frame 1. The purpose of said. spring is to retract the lever 18 when actuated by the cam 13" or the arm 18". v

19 is a guide for' directing the mail-pieces to the feeding mechanism described.

20 is the inner wall of the hopper. and 20 the outer wall of the same, Figs. 5 and 7. The latter is hinged on the frame 1 and may be folded down, as shown in the hopper B, Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7. d

The operation of this. mechanism is as follows: The mail beingplacedon the table 3 is" fed to the machine by one or more feeders standing on the right-hand side of the machine. If the mail'pieces have previously been faced and bunched, only one feeder is required, using but one of the feed-hoppers set at the fast speed. If the mail is unfaced, it may be fed into eachof the four hoppers at the same time by four feeders, the timing mechanism of the feed-hoppers being set at the slow speed. In the latter case the mail-pieces may be fed either one at a time or in bunches, but the letters must all be fed with the stamps in position to be canceled by the marking-die' that is to say, at the forward end and in they lower corner of the envelop facing toward the feeder. in the hopper the belt 12, moving in the The letters having been placed bottom of the hopper, carries the pieces up others in order of arrangement. The piece.

next to the friction-belt 14 is acted upon by friction therewith and carried forward, while the remaining pieces, coming in contact with the reverse-roller 16, are heldhack, theone next to the belt 14! being carried up to the top 17, where itremains until free'd there from by the throw-off 18 which pushes" it f over past the end of said stop 17 when itiis free to pass on. The next in succession assuming the same position is acted upon in the piece is timed.

same manner, whereby theescape of each The timing throw-off 18 being geared .in unison. with the sprocket-belt 9 each letter is delivered betweenthe belts This isaccomplished by mechanism, where itis thereby delivered at the proper time for the canceling-die to register on the stamp. The stops or, retarders 9 are hinged on the belt 9 with springhinges, which cause them to sta'nd normally at' rightan'gles with said belt, but admits of their giving back in case of meeting an obstruction, immediately assuming their normal position when the obstruction has been passed. 3

It should be observed that when the mail .has been previously faced and bunched one of the feed-hoppers paybeopened ou't'as-shownat B andt-he timing feed mechanism set on the fast speed, when a bunoh'of mail may be, placed against the friction-belt 14?, where it will be separated and fed, one piece at a time, p

at the rate of one for each revolution of the printing-cylinder, one piece being delivered eachoneof the VVhen'set on we slow speed, the

to the main feed-belt behind retarders 9. letters are delivered from each of thefour vfeed-hoppers at one-fourth that speed, whereby one is delivered immec liately behind each ---er"th'e retarders 9, arriving at the printing inder carrying the die 7".

mechanism in time for the die to register upon the stamps-thatis to say, the four hoppers running at slow speed will feed onepiece for each revolution of the printing-cylinder the same as one hopper-at the fast speed.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, 19 is a roller yielding-l t, mounted against the printing-cylinder 7 at the upper edge thereof, said cyl-' The rollei l9is journaled on a stud 19, screwed by a setscrew to the upper end of the arm 19, which 19 is 1? at 19. 19" isa cross-arm pivoted on the arm 19 at 19 Said arm 1'9 is-provided with a slot 19, adapted to receivea pin 19 in the arm 19". Hooked on the outer ends of the lever-s19" and 19 is a eoi'l-spring'19, the stress of which tends to draw the ends of said arms together. Hooked on the arm 19"'at 19" is another. coil-spring 19., the opposite end of i which is hooked on a pin 19 in th frame 1. The operation of this mechanism is asiiollows:

It is obvious that the arms 19 and I one bearing the roller 19 and the other the r ler and 14 and guided by the belt13 onto the main feed-belt10innuediately'behind one of the retardcrs 9.

setting the two rear hoppers a quarter-revo- 19 being of equal length and connected by ism cause both rollersto press with equal force against the impression-roller. Y It is es sential', however, that the roller 19 should be except during the 'passage'of a mail-piece. This result is-accomplished by means of the slotted cross-arm;19. Said parts are so adjusted with reference to each other that when the roller 19 is in contact with the roller 7" 19", thereby forcing that part of the arm 19 lLO'WlIlOll the spring 19 is attached back, the spring 19 tending to more the ends of boththc arms 19 19 to which the spring 19 is attached in the same direction, thus moving the rollers opposite directions. The extent of this move ment islimited by the positive contact ofthe roller 19 with the rollerT.v As s'oon, however, as a mail-piece intervenes it presses the impression-roller against the printing-die or, rather against the interveningmail-piece,

' piece enables the spring 19 to restore the parts to their normal positionby pushing the pin 19'. against the end of said slot, and thus moving the arm-19 back against the action or the spring 19 Itisto be observed that both the rollers 19 and 19 are yieldingly' mounted to permit ofthe passage of mail-pieces of different' thicknesses. As soon as a mail-piece has passed the roller 19 drops back against the rim of-the printing-cylinder 7", and thearni 19"- assuming its normal positiontln id 19 acting on the arm 19" causes the arm 19 to be forced back to its'normal position, in which position'the impression-roller 19 is held out of contact with the printing-er]iuder to prevent its becoming inked by thc-printing-die.

, the mechanism remaining in this position until another mail-piece is fed, when the same oper-. ation is performed.

' I will now proceed to dcscribemy improved stacking mechan is'rh. (Shown in Figs. 10 and 11. Thedriviirg lpulley 8" is constructed with 'a raised or flange portion in its center and at carrying two belts 8", which bolts are pro- 'iianges 8, 10 and 11. The bolts 8" also pass around an idle pulley 8 of similar censtruction to the pulley-8 Saul pulley S is l journaled ,on a stud 8", supported by an lkll jiistable bracket 8, screwed on the frame 1'. l On the inner right-hand side of the belts S" is l a support or backing 8 to prevent said belts the spring'19, woulcl'without other mechan kept outof contact with the impression-roller spring l9 -in conjunction with the pin IQ and the pin 19 presses against the inner end of the slot 19 by reason of the action of the spring upon the opposite ends'of said bent-arms in '19, the tension of which'serves to more the,

where itremains until the passage of said.

the bottom and two sets of sprocket-pins for 'vided with out\vardl,\-'-exteinling cars or- I Io from giving back by the pressure from the stack of letters. two arms 8 on the opposite ends of which are journaled two rollers 8, which are pressed 5 against the raised portions or flanges of the pulley 8 by a coil-spring 8 8 is theend wall or abutment for the mail-pieces, which abutment is screwed to the frame 1?. 8 18 an adjustable stop consisting of a plate having a rod 8" securely attachedthereto, which rod extends through the end wall 8 and is adjustably secured thereto by means of a setscrew 8". 8 is a letter in ,the act of passing from'the printing mechanism into the stacking mechanism. 8 is a stackof letters. 8', Figs. 3 and 4 is a movable back-support for the stack of letters loosely mounted on-the rod 4 The operation of this mechanism is as follows: The stacking mechanism and printing mechanism being geared together I fand properly adjusted. a mail-piece,- after having been postmarked and canceled, is delivered from the printing mechanism to the cking mechanism between the pulley 8 ndrollers 8 immediately behind two of the 1 flanges 8 on the belts 8. and is carried forward f in that position until it encounters the stop 8, rwhere it is stopped,'and the next set of flanges S fQcOming behind it pushes it from the path- 3 way, adding it to the stack and making. room for theznex t, when the same operation is performed. The back-supportS' readily yields .to th'epressureand moves back as thestack increases until I it reaches the endfa nd lithe table is filled, w hen the stack is removed-and the support moved up for the beginning ofa new stack. t Having fully described my invention, what] I claim is 4o stantially the same plane, and 'means fordiveying-belt.

'2 The combination'with a chute orrunway,

of a conveying-belt arranged to move in the] SO I tacles for articles to be conveyed arranged in uxtaposition to said chute, the bottoms'thereof being ins'ubstantially the same plane with said conveyingbelt, and means for directing and hoppers-intosaidchute; I a 3. ;Tli' e combination-with a chute or'runway, f hopp'erslorf receptacles fOI aIlSI: -i'e arranged adjacent thereto,

l hoppers" or'conveyingsaid articles, and the. same from said hopkingiand canceling machine,

Pivoted on the frame 1 areto be'stack'ed, said belt being provided with {pieces and a support for 1 The combination of a conveying=belt',*a s6 ries of hoppers-or receptacles for'articlesto be conveyed, said conveying-belt and thlebot-" tom of said hoppers being arrangedlin'sub f t e-Q9 1. ot; a sprocket belt mounted on" revoluble recting and delivering the articles to be -con-- I veyed from said hoppers to andupon said con: .w'ardlysextended flangeson-said.belt'arranged 1s'u'itableintervals whereby said mailpieces.

bottom thereof, a series of hoppersorrecep t a 'chine, the combination with ,tlie-p 'inting 7 jd livering the'garticlesto bejconveyedfroma traverse thepathway of the marked mailpieces and astop for said m'ail-pieces arranged nt nuous'ly moving in the bottom .of v

.cepted by said step, when thenext succeed its peripheral surfaces between said pulleys arranged along the pathway of the'mail-piec'es' 7o outwardly-extending flanges arranged to traverse the pathway of said mail-pieces.

5. Ina postmarking and canceling machine, the combination with the printing mechanism, of a belt mounted on revoluble pulleys, said belt having outwardly-extended flanges arranged to intersect the pathway of'the marked mail-pieces, and a stop for said mail-pieces arranged across said pathway.

1- 6. In a postmarking and canceling machine, the combination with the printing mechanism of a belt mounted on revoluble pulleys having outwardly-extending flanges arr-an ged to trav erse the pathwayof the marked mail-pieces, and a roller yieldingly mounted against said belt adjacent to said printing mechanism.

7. Inamail marking and canceling machine the combination with the printing mechanism of a belt mounted on revoluble pulleys and having outwardly-extending flanges arranged '96 to traverse the pathway of the marked mailthe stack of marked mail.

-8. In a mail-marking machine, the combinationwith the printing mechanism, of'a stack- 9 5' ing mechanisniconsisting of a beltmonntedon revoluble'pulleys, and'having outwardlyextending flanges arranged to traverse the pathway of the markedmail-pieces, a bisected roller yieldingly mounted against said belt adjacentto the printing mechanism, an adjustable stop arrangedfacross the pathway of the m'ai'hpieCes, and a table or support to receive {the'stackof mail.

I 'a po stmarking and'canceling machine.

bination with the. pr nting mechamsm,

vsprociht' pulleys, saidpulleys being geared with't printing mechanism, a'series of out- I to'intersect the pathway of thelmail-piecus at are consecutively removed from said pathway. 10. In a postman-king and canceling mamechanism, of a sprocket-belt mounted on revoluble sprocketpulleys gared withthe printingmechanism, aser es :of outwardlyj extended .flanges'on said-"belt arranged to across their pathway, said flanges being "so arranged and timed. that each. mail-piece will travel behind one of the flanges until internatioBQWith a printing mechanism, of feed "mechanism consisting of a contmuou'sly-movfi'ng feedwelt, and adjacent beltimoving at a slower speed timed with the printing mech-. v, 5 anisn i and yielding stop fingers mounted thereon. i v

' 12. .In a feed mechanism the combination with a continuously-moving feed-belt, of a' belt mounted on revoluble pulleys and having one of its peripheral surfaces between said pulleys, arranged to act as a guide forthe delivery of the mail-pieces onto said feed-belt.- l3. In a feed mechanism, the combination ,with a continuously-moving feed-belt and a, timing-belt adjacent thereto moving at a slower speed, having stops or retarding-fim gers mounted thereon, of a guide-belt ar-' ranged to guide the articles'being fed oniio said feed-belt, said guide-belt being timed with the aforesaid timing-belt.

14. The combination in afeed mechanism of Y a guide-belt mounted on revoluble cylinders,

with a friction-belt mounted on revoluble pulleys .or rollers,'one of said rollers carrying 5 said friction-belt yieldingly mounted against oneof the-cylinders carrying said guide-belt, and means for timing theadmission of articles being fed between said roller and cylinder. 15. The combination withacontinuously-re' 3 volving cylinder, and a friction-roller revolving intheopposite direction, of a friction-belt mounted adjacent to said roller on revoluble pulleys, one of which is yieldingly mounted against said cylinder and means connected with said cylinder for timing the admission of articles being fed between said friction-belt and cylinder. i

' 16. In afeeding mechanism the combination with a continuously-revolving cylinder, of a 4 friction-roller mounted against saidcylinder, a friction-belt mounted adjacent to the peripheral faces of said cylinder and roller and means connected with said cylinder of timing I the admission of articles being fed between said friction-belt and said cylinder.

17, The combination in a feed mechanism of a continuoiusly-revolvingcylinder, a frictionroller mounted against said cylinder, a'friction-belt mounted against the peripheral faces c of said cylinder and roller, and a timing-finger 5 adapted to moveinto-and outof the pathway of articles being-fed, governed by a'cam on the shaft of said cylinder. v

18. In a feed mechanism, the combination with a revoluble cylinder, of a friction-roller 5 5 revolving in the opposite direction thereto, a frictionbelt traveling with said cylinder yieldingly mounted against the peripheral faces of said cylinder and roller, timing-mechan'ism connected with said cylinder, and means v 'for changing the speed of said timing mechanism with respect to the speed of said cylinder. 19. In a'f'eed mechanism, the combination with a revoluble cylinder, of a friction-roller adjacent thereto revolving in the opposite di- 5 rection, a frictionbelt y-ieldingly mounted against the peripheral faces of said cylinder and reverse-roller, timing mechanism con- "nected with said cylinder and a belt traveling beneath-said mechanism on which the articles 7 tobe fed'are placed. f

20. The combination withachute or-runway of a series of hoppers or receptacles fo r articles to be conveyed adjacent thereto, means for conveying said articles from said hoppers into and along said chute and a guide'or shield arranged within said chute in front of said hoppers. I 1 In witness whereof I have hereunto sub-fscribed myname, at Ohicago,-in the county of Cook and State'of Illinois, .this 31st day of ERNST R. MALMBORG. In presence of c l B. F. CUMMI'Ns; J. J. HAZEN. 

